Art History 335. Exhibition Design

This course introduces students to the history, practice and theory of exhibition design. In this course, we will engage in all aspects of the exhibition design process through reading, in-class discussions, site visits, and guest lectures as well as the design and installation of an exhibition. We will consider the visitor experience and how objects and ideas are interpreted by and for different audiences, as well as how museums use technology to engage the public. Students will gain an understanding of the history of exhibition design as well as the challenges museums/like institutions face in making their collections accessible to the communities they serve. Students will be required to participate fully in the practical component of the course, which involves the research for and the design and installation of an exhibition for Wheaton’s Beard and Weil Galleries.